In the latest wave of job cuts sweeping the global tech industry, Seattle-based travel giant Expedia Group has initiated another round of layoffs as part of a broader organisational restructuring effort. While the company has not publicly disclosed the exact number of employees impacted, LinkedIn posts from affected workers reveal that departments such as engineering have been notably affected.
According to a report by Skift, approximately 3% of Expedia’s global workforce has been let go. Based on its December 2024 headcount of 16,500 employees across nearly 50 countries, this reduction could equate to around 500 jobs. The company had already seen a slight decline in its employee count from the 17,100 it reported at the end of 2023, and with nearly half its workforce involved in tech-related roles, the layoffs reflect a continued trend of workforce shifts in the technology sector.
In a public statement, Expedia described the move as part of a strategic effort to realign its business for long-term success:
“As part of a broader effort to strengthen our business and position the company for long-term growth, we are restructuring parts of our organisation. These are difficult but necessary decisions to ensure we sharpen our focus on strategic priorities and remain well-positioned to deliver for customers and partners.”
What makes this layoff round particularly noteworthy is that it comes on the heels of strong financial results. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Expedia reported a 10% rise in revenue, reaching $3.1 billion, with adjusted net income increasing 30% year-on-year, beating market expectations. The company’s first-quarter 2025 earnings are expected to be released on May 8.
Expedia, which owns well-known travel brands such as Vrbo, Orbitz, Hotwire, Trivago, Hotels.com, and Expedia.com, joins a growing list of tech firms streamlining operations despite strong performance, reflecting a deeper transformation underway in the industry.
A Broader Trend Driven by AI and Automation
According to data from Layoffs.fyi, over 23,500 tech employees have been laid off across 93 companies in 2025 as of April. Analysts suggest that the widespread integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a significant role in reshaping workforce structures.
Microsoft’s 2025 Annual Work Trend Index Report highlights how AI is transitioning from an assistant to a full-fledged participant in the workplace. Describing this change as comparable to historic shifts like the Industrial Revolution, the report predicts that AI agents will soon be embedded across companies, automating workflows, managing repetitive tasks, and redefining operational efficiency.
The concept of “intelligence on tap” — scalable, accessible AI capabilities — is becoming a reality. Yet, this shift raises pressing questions about the future of human roles in organisations. While some fear job displacement, others anticipate the emergence of new roles that require co-working with AI. As Microsoft notes, adapting to AI is no longer optional. Professionals who fail to evolve alongside these tools risk being left behind.
